At a trucking school in New Jersey, students practice driving 18-wheelers around traffic cones, while others examine vehicle hoods for safety checks, identifying issues like cracks and leaks in steering hoses.
An instructor smoothly switches between Spanish and English to teach Manuel Castillo, a native Spanish speaker, how to inspect a school bus. They are working with a printed script of English phrases to help Castillo prepare for roadside inspections.
The necessity of improving English skills for aspiring and current truck drivers has intensified following President Donald Trump’s executive order, which declared that those who aren’t proficient in the language would be deemed unfit for service.
“A driver who can’t understand English will not drive a commercial vehicle in this country. Period,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated as new enforcement guidelines were announced, effective Wednesday.
Revised procedures by the U.S. Department of Transportation now require enhanced inspections to assess whether commercial vehicle operators can communicate effectively in English, as well as comprehend highway signs and electronic message boards. Drivers who learned English as a second language fear job loss due to mistakes or heavy accents when questioned. Many are actively working on their language skills through classes, scripts, and instructional videos.
Historical Context of English Requirements
While English proficiency requirements for truck drivers are not new, the consequences for failing to meet these standards are becoming more stringent. To obtain a commercial driver’s license, applicants must pass a written test and identify vehicle parts in English during inspections.
Practical Measures for Language Improvement
In Laredo, where English and Spanish are commonly spoken, the local trucking association offers free weekend English classes to help drivers communicate more confidently. Maldonado emphasized the importance of understanding all road signs, especially those that indicate changes or hazards. In New Jersey’s Driving Academy, multilingual instructors facilitate learning by teaching inspection procedures in students’ first languages and then in English, with additional resources for practice.
Inspection Process and Concerns
Inspections can be triggered by issues like faulty equipment or conducted routinely, often at weigh stations. The updated guidance instructs inspectors to evaluate drivers for English proficiency, which includes conducting interviews and sign comprehension tests. The use of translation aids during these interviews is now prohibited. Many drivers expressed support for the order, asserting that reliance on translation devices could hinder their ability to read critical signs.
Discrimination and Subjectivity in Enforcement
How inspectors will gauge English proficiency remains uncertain, as specific instructions were omitted from the guidance. The Transportation Department has advised that drivers should be able to discuss shipping documents and operational details. If a driver is deemed non-compliant, they and their employer must rectify the language violation before continuing operations. Concerns about discriminatory practices have arisen, especially for truckers facing challenges related to their accents or vocabulary, leading to fears of unjust penalties under the new policies.
